EAST LANSING – A group of Calvin distance runners had an inspiring set of
performances at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State University on
Saturday.
The afternoon was highlighted by Calvin's performance in the 5,000 meters as
senior Nicole Michmerhuizen (Holland/Holland Christian HS) took second in a
time of 17:06.66.

Her time places her in the top six on the current outdoor
national performance list.
Michmerhuizen was part of a powerful pack of Calvin runners in the event as
junior Sarah Danner (Watkins Glen, NY/Charles Dickerson HS) was fourth
(17:51.79), junior Kimby Penning (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) fifth
(17:53.25), junior Kate Ardinger (Elmhurst, IL/Timothy Christian HS) sixth
(17:59.79) and junior Paige McGahan (Brighton/Brighton HS) seventh (18:02.13).

In the 3,000 meter steeplechase, senior Alyssa Oram (Cheboygan/Home Schooled)
took fourth in a strong time of 11:34.24 while sophomore McKenzie Diemer
(Caledonia/South Christian HS) was sixth in a time of 11:47.52.
In the 800 meters, senior Rebekah Folkema (Renfrew, ON/Renfrew Collegiate
Institute) had a stellar showing, taking fifth in a season-best time of
2:19.05.

Senior Olivia Butler (Grant/Grant HS) also had a strong time in taking
eighth in the race, clocking in at 2:21.19.
Calvin will now prepare for the MIAA Jamboree next Saturday at Alma College.

MEN'S ROUNDUP

EAST LANSING – Despite cold conditions, Calvin's distance runners had a strong
showing at the Spartan Invitational Saturday afternoon at Michigan State
University.
The highlight of the day came in the 5,000 meters as sophomore Ethan Anderson
(Stillwater, MN/Stillwater HS) dropped his PR by nearly 20 seconds, taking
seventh in a time of 15:04.00.

Junior Steven Haagsma (Grandville/Calvin Christian HS) also had a smooth race,
placing ninth in a time of 15:09.40 while senior Philip Spitzer
(Kingsley/Buckley HS) was close behind in 10th with a time of
15:15.58.
Trucking in behind them were junior Josh Ferguson (Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley
HS) in 15th (15:32.15) and sophomore Jeff Meitler (New Berlin,
WI/Milwaukee Lutheran HS) in 16th (15:33.66).

In the 1500 meters, senior Stephen Tubergen (Mount Prospect, IL/John Hersey HS)
had a season-best time of 4:06.73. Sophomore Andre Otte (Grand Rapids/Grand
Rapids Christian HS) also had a season-best time in the event, clocking in at
4:09.76 while sophomore Matt Oram (Toledo, OH/Toledo Christian HS) came in at
4:10.80.

Calvin will now prepare for the MIAA Jamboree next Saturday at Alma College.